Book it: four of Britain's best spa hotels for wellness, fitness and total relaxation
Whether you’re ready to relax or raring to get fit, we’ve found a spa right here in the UK with your name on it.
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, West Sussex
Best for… luxe fitness
The low-down: Beach burn workouts and parkland circuit training, 30-acre Bailiffscourt's two-night Surf and Turf retreat is perfect for those looking to boost their fitness in a beautiful setting. Try nine different fitness sessions over three days including HIIT, core blast and yoga led by experienced personal trainers. With its peacocks, cosy nooks, roaring fires and aged wall tapestries, Bailiffscourt offers something more sophisticated than simply a weekend of gym-based body blasting. The sound of Climping beach can be heard from the hotel and is a short walk (or jog) from the front door. The package includes a light spa lunch, a locally sourced three-course dinner on both nights, and unlimited use of the award-winning barn spa. Leave inspired with a stretched and energised body, along with a health debrief and personalised wellness plan.
Out and about: Medieval Arundel Castle is a 10-minute drive away with beautiful grounds to explore. The market town is also known for its galleries and independent shops. Pause at the Black Rabbit for refreshment and views of the castle. Further afield, an afternoon can be whiled away in Chichester, take in the 900-year-old cathedral or a crabbing boat trip from the harbour. One of the best collections of Modern British art in the UK can be found at Pallant House.
Stella loves: Bailiffscourt's architectural secret. Despite its medieval appearance, the building didn't exist until 1927. Designed for Lord Moyne, then Walter Guinness of the brewing family,architect Amyas Phillips searched the country for original stone, woodwork, doors, windows and fireplaces, bringing them all together at Climping to create the exquisite country house.
Words by Boudicca Fox-Leonard
£645 for single occupancy, or £945 for a double; hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt
• Read the full review: Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, West Sussex
• The best hotels for spa breaks in the UK
Rudding Park, Harrogate
Best for… gastronomic adventurers
The low-down: It's glam up North at this Yorkshire retreat, centred around a Grade 1-listed Regency-style country house and set in 300 acres of gardens and woodland. Enjoy al fresco relaxation at the stunning rooftop spa before heading to the Horto restaurant for a fine-dining, seven-course tasting menu. Local ingredients add to the sense of place, while still allowing for gastronomic adventure - think Whitby crab with peas, yuzu and peanut, or Yorkshire venison with beetroot. The surroundings are so tranquil and the vistas so green and vast you won't want to tear yourself away. The panoramic sauna is a must.
Out and about: The hotel is an easy five-mile drive from the centre of Harrogate, where attractions include the famous Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms, a Yorkshire institution; the Royal Pump Room Museum, for those interested in the history of this elegant spa town; and the scenic Valley Gardens. The stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park can also be reached within about half an hour.
Stella loves: Drinking coffee and taking in the scenery from the terrace outside Rudding Park's bar - the perfect way to begin or end a pampering mini-break.
Words by Rosa Silverman
Rooms from £189, b&b; ruddingpark.co.uk
• Read the full review: Rudding Park, Harrogate
• The best spa hotels in the north of England
Calcot Manor, Cotswolds
Best for… family-friendly luxury
The low-down: A renovated 14th-century farmhouse in the heart of the Cotswolds, Calcot Manor is a 35-bedroom privately run hotel that has mastered the art of catering to both couples and families, without either group feeling crowded out. Tennis courts, cycle trails, climbing frames, an Ofsted-registered Playzone crèche and entertainment zone, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, mean there's plenty for kids to do while grown-ups kick back in the spa, with its beautiful lavender-lined outdoor hot tub and open fire. Treatments range from superb Elemis facials to Frangipani body wraps and the Deeper Than Deep Hot Stones massage, after which you can choose the healthy spa menu or (hey, you're on holiday!) head for the Conservatory with its superb locally-sourced menu and seasonal produce. There's also The Gumstool pub at the other side of the main house if you're after a more relaxed vibe.
Out and about: The charming town of Tetbury is less than four miles away and is a gift shop and pottering heaven. Domestic Science has five floors of homewares, both new and vintage, with a wonderful cafe adjoining which is both pooch and child-friendly, and which serves delicious food and frothy coffee inside and out in a sunbathed courtyard. For something a little different, why not watch a chukkah or two at Beauford Polo Club, which welcomes visitors to watch weekend matches from May to September.
Stella loves: Sipping a glass of fizz in front of the outdoor fireplace, wrapped in a fluffy towelling robe, while contemplating whether to have lobster macaroni cheese or Beef Wellington for dinner.
Words by Jane Bruton
From £209, including breakfast and use of spa facilities; calcot.co
• Read the full review: Calcot Manor, Cotswolds
• The best Cotswolds spa hotels
The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
Best for… historical-spa lovers
The low-down: Built into a listed townhouse in Bath's city centre, The Gainsborough has a unique location for a five-star spa. But it works; the impressive bathhouse is modelled on traditional Roman baths, with a circuit of pools varying in temperature, and the water is all naturally thermal. Cold lavender-scented towels and chilli hot chocolate add a special touch, while the on-site treatments are carried out by impressively knowledgeable experts. Upstairs, cocktails are bespoke in the bar, while rooms are mini extensions of the bathhouse. A must for anyone keen to relive a 21st-century version of an ancient spa experience.
Out and about: The Roman Baths are a must-see, while museum lovers can also head to the famous Holburne Museum and No. 1 Royal Crescent. Jane Austen lovers can follow a walk around the city, stopping off to have lunch at Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen and afternoon tea at The Pump Room.
Stella loves: The bedtime poem left with lavender on your pillow.
Words by Radhika Sanghani
From £285, room-only, including access to the bathhouse; thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk
• Read the full review: The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
